Vista or not

[dinkydo53545]

I am looking into getting another computer. My old one was a winxp Home edition, E-Machine T3104. It was a piece of junk, nothing but problems. My husbands is a 3 yr Emachine and has had no problems. But he doesnt use his alot of different ways like I do. So I know its not all T3104 just mine.

He is looking for a system for me and ask me a few questions.

1) Do I want the new Vista or stick with the old type
2) What is Windows Media Center 2005

I am not sure how to answer those questions. So I thought maybe someone could give some advice.

My E-machine was about $400. So I know going cheap is not good, but I dont want to spend $1000 either. Thinking around $600. I get Tiger Direct and Ecost flyers but not sure what are good computers.

Heres what I do alot on my computer.
1. ) I listen 8 hrs of the day to talk radio shows through the internet so I use WMP alot.

2.) I watch dvd movies some
3.) Use Yahoo , Instant Message and check mail constantly
4.) Have a lot of programs installed on it . Just bought a 1 gb and installed to make it 1.5 gb so it will be a same to waste the card.

So I guess I need memory and speed the most

So any suggestions on what I should look at and what type?


Thanks
Charlene

[renegade600]

It really would depend upon you whether or not you get vista. It depends if the legal software that can be transfered to a new computer or hardware you currently have is compatible with vista. Vista takes more ram to run things but vista is also the future.

as far as what Windows media center, its basically a setup where you can watch movies, dvds, play music and even record tv.

[dinkydo53545]

Hi Renegade600 , thanks. I guess I need to look at all my software and see if it can be transfered. Do you have Vista? I saw in my email that there was an email from Pitstop comparing Vista, the pros and cons . So I guess I will have to read it :) I have alot of money in programs and upgrading them so that is important to me.

[renegade600]

Hi Renegade600 , thanks. I guess I need to look at all my software and see if it can be transfered. Do you have Vista? I saw in my email that there was an email from Pitstop comparing Vista, the pros and cons . So I guess I will have to read it :) I have alot of money in programs and upgrading them so that is important to me.

I have vista on two machines and had no problems with the software itself. I do have a few driver problems because of older printers and webcams. The best way to find out if your software is compatible is to go to google, type the software name and vista, then search. or you can type the names here and someone who is running it may be able to tell you.

[per]

Just my opinion but I would stay with XP. I have used Vista as has a friend here, Musky. It seems ok but is no great improvement for the average user. You will need at least 1 gb of memory for Vista and a very good video card to experience it to the fullest. Many of the techs I work with are waiting for the dust to settle on Vista.

[dinkydo53545]

Hey , thanks to both of you. That helps alot. I know some computer things but I still struggle so maybe I should stick with XP .

[Murf]

1. Run the Vista upgrade program (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx), it will check all your software for compatibility.

2. Most new computers at stores off the shelve have Vista installed, depending on where you get it you can get it with XP.

3. Windows Vista is basically XP and Windows Media Center rolled up into one with several more bells and whistles.

4. I would stay away from Windows Media Center (WMC), unless it is installed from the manufacturer and the PC is built specifically for WMC. with the PC your getting. It is buggy if you try and install Windows Media Center can handle a variety of multimedia content. You can watch live or recorded TV, listen to digital music, view pictures and personal videos, play games, burn CDs and DVDs, listen to FM and Internet radio stations, or access content from online services. You can also use Windows Media Center to make your own music CDs yourself. However you need the hardware required for WMC.

5. Vista has all of the above included.

6. If you want to reuse the memory you have then you will have to find a PC with a motherboard that will take the type of memory you have.
Your T-3104 uses DDR PC3200 memory which is a good memory and speed. So if looking at another system you will have to make sure it uses the same type memory.

7. E-Machine T3104 out of the box new had a 1.8Ghz processor, no slouch. However, it had built in Video, and if yours still does then I would dump that and get a good video card.